Samurai Guy: Kurosawa's Samurai Movies Part 1.

An easy one here: If you've not seen any Kurosawa Samurai movies, and you need somewhere to start, follow this list. If you want, you can overlook the following movies importance to Japanese cinema and world cinema, the hidden subtexts or the influence that they've had, or the filmic techniques. You cannot, however, overlook them as great movies. I'll do them in the order you should see them, and will try to avoid spoilers as far as I can, but I'd say just get watching.

1. Yojimbo [1961]

Plot In One Sentence: A grizzled ronin plays two warring gangs off each other in a miserable town.
Thoughts: The loose plot of this was taken from some American crime procedural, and this movie then 'inspired' the 'A Fistful of Dollars' which copies it almost scene for scene. Yojimbo (the bodyguard) is a straight-forward action movie, with some hidden meanings and motivations visible on second viewings. Toshiro Mifune is terrific as the titular bodyguard, a grizzled anti-hero, lazy but exceptionally skilled as a swordsman. The support cast, composed of many of Kurosawa's regulars, are great too. It's visually distinctive, and at times darkly amusing: for example, the arresting sight of a dog trotting happily along carrying a human hand in its mouth, or the dashing of expectations as we are told of the skill of another swordsman, whose only appearance is to show him waving goodbye as he escapes the town forever.

Probably a little too much going on in this one too.

Also interesting is the position of women- surely a thesis is waiting to be written on Kurosawa and woman- in Yojimbo they are either prostitutes, or the wife of one of the gang leaders. One wife in particular effectively leads the gang herself: she is scheming, vicious and violent, she's one of the most unsympathetic charcters in a movie filled with them. The set, namely the broad, wind-swept high street of the town, is great, and Tatsuya Nakadai is also good as a nefarious, gun-wielding villain. This is a a good, solid, tightly-plotted, visually-striking and brilliantly directed action movie, one which only the most racist or stupid of people would say is bad. That's why it's a great starting point for Kurosawa movies.

2. Throne of Blood [1957]

Plot In One Sentence: In this MacBeth-in-Japan, a warrior learns his fate and does his best to avoid it. 
Thoughts: This is probably as good a version of MacBeth as you'll ever see, and there's not a word of English in it. While there are some aspects which are dated- such as the sound effects of the witches laughter, or the nightjars -  it still perfectly encapusaltes the dilemma of MacBeth accepting or denying his fate. Of particular note is some of the cinematography, and obviosuly the plot, which meshes MacBeth perfectly with Samurai Japan. While the action typically only obliquely viewed, we see people rushing from to or coming from battles, battlefields after the action, or get ongoing updates from various messengers, the movie as a whole still seems action packed and the threat of violence is alluded to right until the bloody finale.

Not a great DVD cover, but who cares about DVD covers? Not I.

The finale, memorable for its sea of trees, and the firing of arrows at Mifune as MacBeth, was apparently filmed using genuine arrows, so that the look of fear on Mifune's face would seem genuine. It certainly worked. On top of that are some great uses of mist and fog, some atmospheric Japanese castles and sets, great costumes, and some great scenes, which make it seem so authentic. What's also interesting is that the equvalent of Lady McBeth is now even less sympathetic than she was in Shakespeare, now more than a mere suggestive influence, but the force which makes him act. It's held together through captivating performances and atmosphere. A truly brilliant movie, and a truly brilliant version of MacBeth.

3. Seven Samurai [1954]

Plot in One sentence: A poor illage enlists seven samurai to help fight a group of bandits.
Thoughts: This was the first Kurosawa movie I'd seen, and it was like staring at the sun. I didn't mind or even notice its 31/2 hour plot. I seriously must have seen it like 10 times, and will happily watch it again soon. It's still brilliant, amazingly shot, with all the characters wonderful and characterised in a realistic manner. The action scenes are also beyond compare. It is both epic and intimate. It's a masterpiece.

This, colourful abomination, however, isn't. Oh, what a bitch I am.

 Now however, I've noticed some problems: some of the 'comedy' scenes, and the romance in particular, haven't lasted the test of time. I'm also struck by the notion that the bandits surely must have realised that they could have ransacked somewhere else until the samurai left that town. However, perhaps that's the point - everyone involved is tied into their roles: as villagers, as samurai, as bandits, and there would be no point resisting that. However, that, and its place at the top of the best movies of all time list mean that it shouldn't be the first one you see, because it's likely to taint your views if you don't like it as much. Some of the comedy scenes don't go so well, but it's filled with memorable images speeches, and battle scenes. The final battle, in the rain, is one of the saddest, most epic in all of cinema. Stunning.

4. Rashomon [1950]

Plot In One Sentence: A murder and possibly a rape take place, and we gain conflicting views of how it happened through various interviews with those involved. 
 Thoughts: This was the movie which shot Kurosawa to fame internationally, winning the Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival. It has been remade as a western, and has given us the term 'Rashomon Effect' to describe any movie with unreliable narraotrs, or when the truth is uncertain. Obvious examples include The Usual Suspects, Pulp Fiction, or Memento.

Yeah this is the best I could find at the moment.

It's a great piece of film history,  but it's not quite as entertaining as some of his later works. The part with the child at the end is also a little saccharine. Despite this, it's more than interesting,  as it has some good performances and cinematography, there is a reason that the 'walk through the woods' is so well remembered. However, although it is great, I view it as more of a 'sign of things to come' both from Kurosawa and Mifune in particular.

If that's whet your appetite, the next four are coming up soon. lucky you guys! For those wondering, I won't include 'The Men Who Tread On The Tiger's Tail,' because it's bad even by propaganda standards.